It is time again for our yearly selection of top perennials and annuals for the year.  This week we are going to focus on perennials. Perennials are great to have in your garden because they tend to require less maintenance.  They get planted either in the spring or fall.  In the first year, you will have to water and weed them regularly to get them established.  Don’t be concerned if you don’t get blooms the first year as they are establishing their root system.  We felt we needed to add color this year, so many of our selections are bright and bold.

We will start off our list with our number five pick, Moly Allium. This bright yellow Allium has been a popular seller. The starry flowers grow in clusters and are ½ inch in diameter.  These flowers will add some sunshine to your garden.  The plant is also called “Golden Garlic”.  Moly Allium grows 8-16 inches tall and blooms from May to June.   For the best flowering, plant in the fall in a full or mostly sunny location. Given both sun and good drainage, they will reappear year after year.  Another great reason to plant these bulbs is they have a scent that keeps rodents and deer at a distance. Hardiness zones 3-8.

Constant Beauty Crush Orange Dianthus (now that is a mouthful) is fourth on our perennial list. Dianthus are also known as “pinks”.  This particular plant has vibrant semi-double orange flowers that are rimmed with white.  The flowers also have a subtle fragrance and the foliage is silver.  These long-lasting flowers will produce more blooms if you deadhead them throughout the summer and into the fall.  The plant grows 6-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide.  This Dianthus also does well in heat and humidity.  The plant works great in containers or as a border in a flower bed. Hardiness zones 4-9.

Number 3 on our list is Autumn Joy Sedum.  This easy to grow and care for perennial, also known as Stonecrop, is a succulent.  This sturdy plant is robust and durable.  The showy plant produces pink flowers on large flower heads.  The flower colors change on the plant as it ages in the fall.  The plant blooms from mid-summer to mid-fall.  The succulent foliage will die back to the ground in the cold winter regions but will come back in early spring.  This plant loves the sun and is great when used in a border.  It can also be grown in a container.  Consider using this in a rock or woodland garden or for firescaping.  This plant is bee and butterfly friendly and deer, rabbit, and pest resistant. Hardiness zones 4-11.

Frilly Heuchera is second on our list.  This particular Heuchera is a new variety. Heuchera is also known as Coral Bells.  Heuchera Frilly is the first one with compact foliage and heavily ruffled leaves.  The foliage is caramel colored and then changes to an orange-red.  The plant grows 12 to 14 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide making it perfect for patio containers or in a perennial border.   This plant prefers morning sun and afternoon shade and is considered shade tolerant.  Frilly Heuchera will have flowers in the summer and they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It is also deer resistant.  Hardiness zones 4-9.

Our top perennial for the year is Heliopsis Bleeding Hearts.  Heliopsis is also known as False Sunflower and this Heliopsis is the first one in the world that does not have yellow in its flowers.  The blooms start out scarlet-red and then turn to bright orange when the plant matures.  The spring foliage on the plant is a dark purple with black stems.  This plant has it all beautiful flowers and stunning foliage. The foliage has glossy-green textured leaves that are tinged with smoky purple.  The tall flowers will make a great addition to the back of your border.  These flowers are also perfect for a cutting flower garden.  Plus, pollinators love the flowers.   It will bloom from mid-summer to mid-fall.  They do need to be deadheading to prolong their flowering.  They do not need any other special care but they do not like being dry for an extended period of time.  Hardiness zones 3-9.

Let us know what you think of our selections!

Photos courtesy of Growing Colors and Concept Plants.

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